Call for BETA testers!

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:21 am

We're somewhat close to the release of Refinements (Version 1), so we'd need testers in a couple of weeks, or three at most.
If we don't find enough of them, we'll have to release the mod as buggy as it is!

()
Seriously, 2 or 3 have applied so far, if we find 1 or 2 more they'll surely suffice.
If someone happens to be interested, please let me know!

Current (separate) components are:

New HLAs Tables for all classes ...and kits, actually. Unique tables for everyone, a great deal of rebalancing, tons of new abilities. This component requires work still, but mainly on graphics. Some originally unused visuals are taken from BG2 itself, but we've started to add some visuals extracted from IWD2. We also miss several icons for the new abilities: some are ready and definitely have BG2 quality, some must still be refined heavily, some are completely undone yet. Work on graphics can procede along with beta testing anyway, or, to a certain extent, even after the first release...
Revised Balthazar's abilities: a little experiment but mainly a placeholder for future versions, when we'll try to give some of the new HLAs to bosses.
"SwashImoen": Imoen as a SwashBuckler/Mage (requires the 1st component).
Shapeshifting fix: Fixes ALL druids' shapeshifting forms. Provides a new way to deal with the infamous (and hard-coded..) "dispellable paws" bug, and grants all the intended features of the various forms (A LOT of them were missing).
Sword Angel Kit: The component I love the most, and a little collection of technical successes. Honestly I think it's one of the most detailed and refined kits you can find out there: truly unique kit abilities, 7 new HLAs, new icons and visuals. It's meant to be used together with Sim's Virtue mod, since this fella falls to a Kensai if he doesn't act virtously enough...
Not for powergamers or Evil lovers More work on this is planned for future versions, time allowing (dialogs, and other things).
CamDawg's World Map Fixes: Fixes to the SoA world map: travel times, encounters and such.
CamDawg's Weapon Animation Tweaks: Adjustments to the animation sequences of spears, staves, and short swords.

That's it. Let's hope we won't delay even beta testing...

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:13 pm

Should there be a need, I've got the game installed and ready to go.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 5:08 pm

Thanx AC!
I appreciate it.

What party would you use?
You know, some classes are ready and deserve to be tried (druids, especially Shapeshifters, should be a lot of fun) other classes are, ehm, still a mess (wizards, ehm, too many of them!

)
I can try to adjust things in time, if needed

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:55 pm

It's no problem for a woman with too much time on her hands. It's always a pleasure, Littiz.

I assume I'm allowed to use NPCs? I've become accustomed to taking an awkward group. Immy, Nalia, Ano, Valygar, Sarevok, and the PC are my basic party. Should I have to have a multiplayer game I would probably follow those classes respectively.
I'm a huge fan of Druids, so to do a run through with one again would be fun. I've never played a Shapeshifter, and it would be a nice change.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 6:28 am

It's no problem for a woman with too much time on her hands. It's always a pleasure, Littiz.

Ah, women get an easier life, I always say

p)

No need for a custom party, you may use official or unofficial NPCs.
Currently we miss some new HLAs and tables for 3 or 4 specialist mages and Stalkers, so Valygar is a little problem, but I can temporarily set the regular one for Rangers.

Nalia and Imoen use the regular Mage table, so no probs, they'll just get 2 new spells, "Aegis" and "Deathfield" (though they use just placeholder icons for now).

I suggested druids since they get a lot of new stuff (even elemental princes are entirely re-done), but go with your choices!
Another fun idea might be a sorc (or you could just take Kelsey or Tashia). They don't get 10th level spells anymore, instead they get a lot of "metamagic" innate abilities. I really like them now, though I'm sure someone would miss Improved Alacrity and all

So, can you wait a couple of weeks or are you about to start the game?

Mini Me · Post by **Mini Me** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 11:14 am

I would like to, but i am currently in the middle of a BP-BGT-NEJ game, and I may not finish for a while. Will it be alright for me to apply in 2/3 weeks or do you need to know now?

Aqua-chan · Post by **Aqua-chan** » Fri Jan 30, 2004 7:31 pm

Originally posted by Littiz

So, can you wait a couple of weeks or are you about to start the game?

I'm all set to take a run through. Just get me started. But if my computer blows up from malfunction, guess who's gonna be purchasing me a new one.

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:42 am

@Mini Me: there's no problem, for now testers are enough.
I can add you later, if you are still interested.
There's still work to do to complete the BETA, so..

@AC: replying via PM

Littiz · Post by **Littiz** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 3:32 am

This time we're ready for REAL (99,99999% of the mod, Version 1, is completed).

Unfortunately a couple of the testers who enrolled at first have no more time to help now, shame to us and our guilty delays.
(Well, I think the results were worth it BTW).
So, if someone is available and willing te help now, let me know!
I can send the mod immediately, this time.

Refinements is now about 4 Megs, packed.
For the graphical part, the main component (new HLAs system) adds:

a load of new icons
24 new portrait/character screen icons
about 10/15 restored (unused so far) BG2 animations
38 animations from IWD2

(part of this stuff in truth is used, or shared, by the new Kit).

If you want to have a look, you can find 2 screenshots threads: one directly in our forum, the other one in the general Mod Shots forum (still at FWStudios).

Thanx for any help